On Questioning the Labels & Silencing the Opposition

Bill O'Reilly has reportedly said,
"The truth is that if moderate
Muslims all over the world would
stand with Americans against
radical Islam, the terrorists
couldn't exist. But obviously,
that is not happening."

I heard about his appearance on
The View, and how there was much
controversy over his handling of
the subject of Muslims. For some
reason, I didn't want to be drawn
into the drama, so I didn't pay
much attention at first.

However today I saw the above
comment, and that stood out as
something to address. As with
many things, there are complicated
webs that we weave around them,
and it is often very easy to lose
sight of the things that we should
truly be addressing.

So while the issue may seem to be
about one thing, it might actually
be about something else, and while
there is indeed a bigger conversation
to be had in regard to the topic,
that is not my intention here.

My intention is to look at the above
statement - and question it in a
broader way. I am not sure how he
thinks that a matter can just be
handled in the manner that he seems
to think it can be.

Just because we don't want things in
our world doesn't mean that others
agree. It also doesn't mean that
they can be stopped from their
expression, whether it is violent,
or otherwise - much to the chagrin of
almost any human being who is passionate
about something.

Yes, we can collectively work together,
but there will always be someone labelled
similarly to us, who will vary from us.
Given human nature, one might make broad,
sweeping statements about the label that
are unfair and unjustified in some cases.
It can go either way - making the "good"
look "bad" or the "bad" look "good."

There are those who would be quick to label
me, and what I do as an erotic hypnotist, as
"bad," but they would likely be people who
have no clue who I am. Those who have
taken the time to get to know who I am know
that I have the best interest of those I
speak to at heart, and it's not an illusion
or a manipulative ploy.

However, someone who lumped me into the
bunch of "bad" people would likely have
little desire to get to know the real me
and how I may vary from their preconceived
notions.

It is that willingness to label and box in
people and situations that will get us into
trouble more times than not. When people
speak, others listen.

Bill O'Reilly may have a point that needs
to be heard and addressed, but the problem
is that it may be lost when there are
sweeping statements that are made that
cause others to get riled up in unhelpful
ways.

People don't always do what we want them to
do, or speak the way we think they should,
and in some ways, that can be a good thing -
as long as we continue to think for ourselves
in the process, and be careful about reacting
to the things we think we know.

I realize in today's world that is a tricky
proposition, however, if the way we choose to
interact with it is by addressing how we
silence the perceived opposition (which could
include the radical Islamists or Bill O'Reillys
of the world), rather than finding a way to
interact with them, we will have a much bigger
problem on our hands.

It might be worth considering that the
opposition isn't our enemy, as much as the
silence is.

It also may be worthy of note that trying to
silence a perceived problem by trying to
stamp it out rarely - if ever - works.
Just ask King George III.